Stoma reversal surgery is an elective surgery to close the opening of a stoma and reconnect the bowels. After this, you will have bowel movements through your anus again and no longer wear a stoma bag. Some people want to have their stoma reversed so they can return to ‘normal’; other people choose to keep their stoma because it has improved their life.
Perhaps you are trying to make this decision, are wondering if it’s possible for you or your stoma reversal surgery is booked in. Wherever you are on your stoma journey, this guide has been written to answer commonly asked stoma reversal questions, created with the help of a stoma reversal patient, Larnie. It’s designed to help you feel informed, supported, and prepared to have the right conversations with your stoma team.
Whether your stoma can be reversed depends on the reason for your surgery and the type of operation you had. Ileostomies and colostomies are often reversible, but urostomies are not.
If you had a loop colostomy or ileostomy, this was probably formed with the intention of it being temporary to allow a diseased or damaged section of your bowel to heal. End stomas can also be reversed, but this usually requires open surgery which comes with increased risk, so are less likely to be reversed. Read more: Is a stoma permanent?
You may be eligible for stoma reversal if:
If your stoma was formed due to permanent damage to your intestines, or you have had a lot of your digestive system removed, it’s unlikely that your stoma can be reversed. People who have had Barbie butt surgery cannot have their stoma reversed. Also, if much of your rectum has been removed, controlling your bowels may be more difficult, and reversal may not be in your best interest.
To help assess whether stoma reversal would be suitable, your doctor may perform tests such as:
Stoma reversal can happen weeks or even years after your initial stoma surgery. The ideal timeframe is usually between 3 and 12 months. This allows your body to heal and for swelling and adhesions to settle, while retaining your abdominal muscle tone. There is no upper limit for how long you can have a stoma; many people decide to keep theirs forever.
Timing also depends on other treatments. For example, if you’re undergoing chemotherapy, you won’t be able to have reversal surgery until treatment is complete.
For instance, Larnie needed an emergency operation to form a stoma due to Crohn’s disease in October 2024 and had ileostomy reversal surgery in March 2025.
So, you’ve decided to go ahead with colostomy or ileostomy reversal surgery – what should you expect? You’ll be advised not to eat for six hours before surgery and to stop drinking about two hours before. You will be put under general anaesthetic, so you will be asleep and unable to feel pain during the stoma reversal operation.
The procedure involves:
The operation usually takes around 90 minutes. It’s shorter than stoma formation surgery, but still considered major. The surgeons will aim to complete it via keyhole for easier recovery, but open surgery may be required which could take longer. If you also have a hernia, it might be repaired during the same procedure.
So what can you do to prepare yourself for your stoma reversal operation? Here are our top tips:
It’s important to remember that many stoma reversal surgeries are performed each year and more often than not, they go to plan. However, as with all surgeries, there are some risks that your medical team will make you aware of. As well as the usual risks involved with any type of surgery (read about these here), some potential risks specific to stoma reversal surgery include:
Reversal surgery is generally a straightforward procedure, with most carried out successfully. Your healthcare team will evaluate your suitability for the surgery and take steps to reduce any risks. It is their job to ensure you fully understand the surgery and can give your informed consent.
According to Colostomy UK, in 95% of cases, no new abdominal incisions are required. However, some patients do experience complications as described above. Rarely, patients’ digestive systems do not respond well to reversal surgery and they encounter persistent issues, and may need to have their stoma reformed.
Hospital stays after stoma reversal surgery range from a single night to up to a week, depending on the complexity of your procedure (recovery from open surgery will take longer than keyhole surgery) and your general health. You likely won’t be discharged until you’ve passed wind or had a bowel movement, as this indicates your bowel is functioning. Nurses will ensure that you can eat, drink, move around, and manage your pain before they send you home.
You may experience:
It’s important to stay mobile to encourage blood flow to your bowels, but allow yourself time to rest. It may take at least six weeks to fully recover from stoma reversal and resume your usual activities. You may want to plan by arranging for someone to assist you at home, prepping some meals, and taking time off work. Trying to do too much too soon can delay your recovery and cause further complications, such as a hernia.
You may be wondering ‘Can you live a normal life after stoma reversal?’. The answer is yes, you absolutely can! This includes working, travelling, eating your favourite food (more info below), wearing what you like, exercising and taking part in your favourite hobbies. A phased return to work may help, depending on your role. If it consists of strenuous activity, you should start with light duties when you return.
You can drive when you can perform an emergency stop without pain. Check with your insurer before driving; you may need to inform them of the surgery and they may have specific guidelines.
If you are wondering what life after stoma reversal surgery may be like, many people have told their stories online which you may find helpful.
For example, Larnie has been open and honest about her journey, such as sharing photos of her scars, recovery process and day-to-day life. She aims to help others going through stoma reversal feel less alone and more informed. You can find Larnie on social media @hotgirlshavecrohns.
Larnie says: “Celebrate the small wins – getting dressed, a walk, your favourite snack. Most of all, don’t put life on hold. That first pancake stack, the sun on my face, the o
utfit that made me feel hot again – they reminded me I’m still me. Just with a cooler backstory!”
She also notes that you will probably go to feel your stoma bag and remember it’s not there, many times!
You may be sent home from the hospital with clean dressings to care for your wounds after surgery – follow your nurse’s advice. How long they take to heal is individual. It could take over a year to fully scar over and they will look very different to when you first had surgery.
Larnie says this about her scars: “I used to avoid looking at mine. Now I see them as little badges of what I’ve made it through.” She also advises researching scar care: “I ignored expensive ‘scar’ miracle products and focused on silicone gel sheets and bio oil which have helped keep my scars moisturised, reduce redness and heal well.”
You’ll be given dietary advice after your operation by your healthcare team. You may be advised to start with a liquid diet, then gradually reintroduce low-fibre foods. In the first few weeks after your stoma reversal, avoid foods that are hard to digest such as leafy greens, mushrooms, seeds, nuts, fruit and vegetable skins, red meat and fatty foods. Well-cooked, peeled veg/potatoes, white bread, crackers, lean white meat or fish, tinned fruit, crisps and soup are generally good options.
It’s common to lose weight after stoma reversal. You may have lost your appetite, but it’s important to eat enough; opt for small meals at regular intervals that are high in calories.
As you recover, you can gradually reintroduce more variety into your diet. Most people who have had stoma reversal can return to a normal diet over time with few restrictions. If a particular food causes issues, note it and try reintroducing it later to see if it continues to be a problem. Larnie says: “Keeping a food diary made it easier to spot what worked and what didn’t.”
Find out more: Foods to eat with a stoma
It may take several months after stoma reversal surgery for your bowel movements to settle into a regular pattern, depending on how much of your bowel was removed initially and any other treatments you had, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Larnie says it took her body about 2 weeks to return to ‘business as usual’. You may experience:
This is common as your bowel adjusts after a period of inactivity. It typically improves on its own, but this can take up to a year, so it’s important to set your expectations and prepare yourself as much as possible. Your healthcare team may give you pelvic floor exercises to build your anorectal muscles to help you regain control over your bowels.
One of the disadvantages of stoma reversal is, if you’ve had much of your colon removed, your stools may remain loose because it’s job is to absorb water. Make sure to stay hydrated and speak to your doctor who may recommend bulking agents.
You should urgently seak medical advice if you experience severe symptoms, such as:
Some people have their stoma formed with the intention of it being temporary, but later choose to keep it permanently because their quality of life has improved or they want to avoid further surgery. Your doctor will provide information and their thoughts, but ultimately it is your choice. Discovering stories of others who’ve had a stoma reversal can help you make a decision and know what to expect.
It’s okay to change your mind or be unsure; you may feel overwhelmed or emotional at the prospect of another surgery. Speaking to loved ones, your stoma nurse and fellow ostomates (at support groups or online) can make all the difference.
Stoma reversal can be a positive step forward, but it’s not right for everyone. It’s important to go in with realistic expectations and a clear understanding of the process. Even after stoma reversal, it takes time to return to ‘normal’ and you may encounter challenges.
Stay in close contact with your healthcare team, take things slowly, and don’t hesitate to ask for help. With the right care and support, most people return to a full and active life after stoma reversal.
The organisations below provide stoma helplines, one-to-one support, support groups and events, private social media pages, information and much more:
You may also find these resources helpful:
We’d like to thank Larnie for her help with this article. You can find her on social media platforms @hotgirlshavecrohns.
Although all our articles are written alongside qualified medical professionals, this information is for guidance and does not replace advice given by your healthcare team.
